The Clay High School graduate and University of Florida junior won the gold medal with the United States men’s 4×100 free relay squad at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro Sunday. No, it wasn’t a rout.
Advertisement
The event has provided some of the most indelible moments in the history of not just swimming, but the Olympics, full stop.
The Americans had failed to reach the final in the event past year at the world championships with Phelps on the sideline.
France took the silver in 3:10.53, while Australia claimed the bronze in 3:11.37, holding off a Russian team that was booed during the introductions – a reminder of the drug scandal that has rocked the nation.
Over the past three Olympiads, the U.S.
The only mark that didn’t fall Sunday was the men’s 4×100 free relay. Through the years, they’ve traded plenty of blows in the pool, and there’s also been the occasional trading of barbs out of the water. It was a first time they failed to win at least one race during an Olympic finals session at the pool since August 14, 2008 – the lone day Phelps didn’t go for gold in Beijing. Now that the Americans have captured two of the past three Olympic titles, a sense of the past is returning. His opponent was Alain Bernard, then the world record holder in the 100 free.
Four years ago, the French got their revenge when Yannick Agnel caught Ryan Lochte on the anchor leg.
Swimmers from the Tar Heel state shined on a sensational Sunday night in the pool for Team USA at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.
“I just tell him to do what he always does: Be aggressive, be smart and race for your team”, DeSorbo said.
“We wanted that race back so badly”, he added.
“It felt good to get my last 400 free relay of my career with this thing around my neck”, he said. Held protected the top spot before handing off to Nathan Adrian, the top sprinter in America.
Selected over Anthony Ervin for the final relay slot at night, Held did his job on the third leg.
Those ill feelings were pushed aside by the sight of Phelps once more climbing to the top step of the medal podium.
“I love a little emotion, I had to fight back some tears myself”. Three world records were toppled – one by Bethesda’s Katie Ledecky in the women’s 400 freestyle, one by Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom in the women’s 100 butterfly, and one by Great Britain’s Adam Peaty in the men’s 100 breaststroke.
Just a few years after leaving the sport and following a personal crisis which included a DUI charge and stay in a rehabilitation center, Phelps looked as joyous as ever walking the deck after the medal ceremony. “It shows they really do care and they love what they’re doing”, said Phelps, who earned his record 19th Olympic gold medal. Becoming a father himself for the first time. The Americans also went one and two at the US trials a month ago. For this night, though, another relay gold held considerable significance.
History and Phelps said otherwise.
Advertisement
“When I was on the block, I honestly thought my heart was going to explode out of my chest”, Phelps said.
